SECTION 1.  Section 9 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:—

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purpose of determining eligibility for in-state tuition rates and fees at public institutions of higher education, except the University of Massachusetts Medical School, any individual admitted to such public institutions of higher education, other than a non-immigrant alien within the meaning of paragraph 15 of subsection (a) of Section 1101 of Title 8 of the United States Code, who has attended high school in the commonwealth for 3 or more years and has achieved graduation from a high school in the commonwealth or attained the equivalent thereof, shall be eligible to pay in-state tuition rates and fees at the University of Massachusetts, or any state or community college.  No person qualified for in-state tuition rates and fees under this chapter shall be denied in-state tuition and fees as a result of the granting of eligibility under this paragraph.  An eligible individual shall provide the University of Massachusetts, or the state or community college with (i) a document reflecting issuance of an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) in lieu of his or her social security number for such purposes as a social security number may be required under federal law and (ii) a signed affidavit stating that the individual will apply for citizenship or legal permanent residence in accordance with federal statute and federal regulations within 120 days of eligibility for such status.